The development of refractory tumor cells limits therapeutic efficacy in cancer by activating mechanisms that promote cellular proliferation, migration, invasion, metastasis, and survival. Benzimidazole anthelmintics have broad-spectrum action to remove parasites both in human and veterinary medicine. In addition to being antiparasitic agents, benzimidazole anthelmintics are known to exert anticancer activities, such as the disruption of microtubule polymerization, the induction of apoptosis, cell cycle (G2/M) arrest, anti-angiogenesis, and blockage of glucose transport. These antitumorigenic effects even extend to cancer cells resistant to approved therapies and when in combination with conventional therapeutics, enhance anticancer efficacy and hold promise as adjuvants. Above all, these anthelmintics may offer a broad, safe spectrum to treat cancer, as demonstrated by their long history of use as antiparasitic agents. The present review summarizes central literature regarding the anticancer effects of benzimidazole anthelmintics, including albendazole, parbendazole, fenbendazole, mebendazole, oxibendazole, oxfendazole, ricobendazole, and flubendazole in cancer cell lines, animal tumor models, and clinical trials. This review provides valuable information on how to improve the quality of life in patients with cancers by increasing the treatment options and decreasing side effects from conventional therapy.

Ovarian cancer (OC), the deadliest gynecological cancer, results in poor overall survival, urgently requiring a novel therapeutic approach. As cumulative exposures to endotoxins decreased OC risk epidemiologically, we evaluated if LPS, a Toll-like receptor 4 agonist known as active component of endotoxins, could increase survival in the murine peritoneal dissemination model of SKOV-3 OC cells. LPS significantly increased the mean survival time of more than 116 days compared with 63 days in the control. Furthermore, no tumor burden was present in three mice among eight LPS-treated mice. SKOV-3 cells were not responsive to LPS and showed unaltered chemokine signature. Rather than direct effects to OC cells, LPS was found to increase proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines, such as CXCL1, CXCL8, TNF, and IL-1B, in innate immune system. Taken together, LPS is likely to potentiate the cytotoxic-related innate immunogenicity via proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines, which attenuates the peritoneal dissemination of OC.
Animals ; Chemokines ; Cytokines ; Endotoxins ; Immune System ; Immunity, Innate ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Mice ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Survival Rate ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Tumor Burden

Ovarian cancer (OC) has the highest mortality rate among gynecological malignancies. Because chemokine network is involved in OC progression, we evaluated associations between chemokine expression and survival in tumor suppressor protein p53 (TP53) wild-type (TP53WT) and mutant (TP53m) OC datasets. TP53 was highly mutated in OC compared to other cancer types. Among OC subtypes, CXCL14 was predominantly expressed in clear cell OC, and CCL15 and CCL20 in mucinous OC. TP53WT endometrioid OC highly expressed CXCL14 compared to TP53m, showing better progression-free survival but no difference in overall survival (OS). TP53m serous OC highly expressed CCL8, CCL20, CXCL10 and CXCL11 compared to TP53WT. CXCL12 and CCL21 were associated with poor OS in TP53WT serous OC. CXCR2 was associated with poor OS in TP53m serous OC, while CXCL9, CCL5, CXCR4, CXCL11, and CXCL13 were associated with better OS. Taken together, specific chemokine signatures may differentially influence OS in TP53WT and TP53m OC.
Chemokines ; Dataset ; Disease-Free Survival ; Mortality ; Mucins ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

One-fifth of cancer deaths are associated with obesity. Because the molecular mechanisms by which obesity affects the progression of ovarian cancer (OC) are poorly understood, we investigated if obesity could promote the progression of OC cells using the postmenopausal ob/ob mouse model and peritoneal dissemination of mouse ID8 OC cells. Compared to lean mice, obese mice had earlier OC occurrence, greater metastasis throughout the peritoneal cavity, a trend toward shorter survival, and higher circulating glucose and proinflammatory chemokine CXCL1 levels. Ascites in obese mice had higher levels of macrophages (Mφ) and chemokines including CCL2, CXCL12, CXCL13, G-CSF and M-CSF. Omental tumor tissues in obese mice had more adipocytes than lean mice. Our data suggest that obesity may accelerate the peritoneal dissemination of OC through higher production of pro-inflammatory chemokines and Mφ recruitment.
Adipocytes ; Animals ; Ascites* ; Chemokine CXCL1 ; Chemokines ; Glucose ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Macrophages* ; Mice ; Mice, Obese ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Obesity ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Peritoneal Cavity

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induces serum amyloid A (SAA) 3 among acute-phase proteins in mouse granulosa cells by activating NF-κB signaling via p55 TNF-α receptor type 1. However, the localization of SAA3 within the ovary is unknown. Here we investigated ovarian localization of SAA3 in a mouse ovulation model and in response to IL-1β, a proinflammatory mediator. For the ovulation model, equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG; 2.5 IU) was administered to mice subcutaneously (sc) to stimulate follicular development on day 25 of age and then 50 h after eCG, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; 2.5 IU) was administered sc to induce ovulation. The mouse ovulation model was characterized by the localization of CYP19 mRNA expression to granulosa layers of larger follicles. SAA3 mRNA, determined by in situ hybridization, was broadly expressed throughout the whole ovary. Granulosa layers and small follicles expressed higher SAA3 mRNA compared to thecal-interstitial layers and large follicles, respectively. Interestingly, atretic follicles contained cells expressing intense SAA3 mRNA. After ovulation, SAA3 mRNA expression was intensely evident in ruptured follicles and corpora lutea (CL). The intraperitoneal administration of IL-1β revealed the intense and extensive appearance of specific cells expressing SAA3 mRNA around follicles and in CL. In addition, Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database analysis supported expression pattern of SAA3 mRNA observed in mouse ovulation model. Taken together, SAA3 was broadly distributed through the whole ovary, but intensely expressed in atretic follicles and CL. Furthermore, proinflammatory mediators could trigger the intense appearance of SAA3 around follicles and in CL.
Acute-Phase Proteins ; Amyloid* ; Animals ; Aromatase ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Corpus Luteum ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Granulosa Cells ; In Situ Hybridization ; Mice* ; Necrosis ; Ovarian Follicle ; Ovary* ; Ovulation ; RNA, Messenger ; Serum Amyloid A Protein

We present the case of a 31-year-old woman with an inflammatory and ulcerative malignant phyllodes tumor in her right breast. A right modified radical mastectomy and transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap were performed. A month after the initial operation, several masses recurred at the superior margin and deep margin of the TRAM flap. Wide excision was performed, but masses recurred at the inferior margin and in both lung fields 2 weeks after the second operation. Six weeks after the second operation, the patient died due to progression of dyspnea and respiratory failure.
Adult ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical ; Phyllodes Tumor* ; Rectus Abdominis ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Ulcer

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) is well known to be involved in the immune system and ovarian inflammation. Ovarian cancer is an inflammation-related malignancy that lacks early screening strategies, resulting in late diagnosis followed by high mortality. Based on our previous data, TNF induced abundant serum amyloid A (SAA), an acute phase protein linked to inflammation, in ovarian granulosal cells. To date, the regulation and expression of SAA in ovarian cancer is not fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the relationship between TNF and SAA by comparing human normal ovarian tissues and serous ovarian tumors. We found that SAA1/2 was significantly expressed in tumor tissues, but no or trace expression levels in normal tissues. TNF was also significantly upregulated in ovarian tumor tissues compared to normal tissues. Moreover, TNF significantly increased SAA1/2 levels in human ovarian cancer cell lines, OVCAR-3 and SKOV-3, in a time-dependent manner. Since the SAA1 promoter contains two nuclear factor (NF)-κB sites, we examined whether TNF regulates SAA1 promoter activity. Deletion analysis revealed that the proximal NF-κB site (−95/−85) played a critical role in regulating TNF-induced SAA1 promoter activity. Within 2 h after intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide, a product known to stimulate release of TNF, SAA preferably localized to ovarian epithelial cells and the thecal-interstitial layers compared to granulosal cell layers. Based on Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, SAA1/2 and TNF were dominantly expressed in advanced grade ovarian cancer. Taken together, the accumulation of SAA1/2 in ovarian cancer could be mediated by TNF-induced NF-κB activation.
Acute-Phase Proteins ; Amyloid* ; Cell Line ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Epithelial Cells ; Gene Expression ; Humans* ; Immune System ; Inflammation ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Mass Screening ; Mortality ; Necrosis ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Serum Amyloid A Protein ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of the content of an educational curriculum by understanding the opinions of experts in the development of weekly educational content for dental communication or communication-related subjects. It was composed of educational content on how to communicate with patients by cultivating a professional attitude through basic contents and a self-understanding of communication. Three experts were asked to evaluate the feasibility of educational contents and their appropriateness in order to evaluate the criteria for certification as a dental hygienist. The validity of the weekly educational contents and the period of education were awarded 4 points out of a maximum of 5 points; overall, the curriculum was evaluated to be valid and to be acceptable for use as criteria for certification evaluation. On the other hand, it was confirmed that not only should the contents be made appropriate for the grade level, but it should be complemented so that theoretical and practical learning can be achieved in a gradual and interrelated manner rather than as a one-time curriculum. Therefore, the result of this study can be considered for use as background data for curriculum development, and for standardization of the communication course in the dental hygiene department.
Awards and Prizes ; Certification ; Complement System Proteins ; Curriculum* ; Dental Hygienists ; Education ; Hand ; Humans ; Learning ; Oral Hygiene*

Patients who lost posterior teeth due to periodontitis or dental caries have collapsed vertical dimension, unstable occlusion and change of the mandibular position. In particular, patients in orthognathic surgery, clinician should re-establish the pre-operative stable position of mandibular condyle in articular fossa and favorable vertical dimension for high post-operative stability of mandible. Therefore, interdisciplinary approach and co-operation, including prosthetics, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, from diagnosis and treatment plan is important to get a good outcome. This case report was patients who had collapsed occlusal plane due to severe dental caries on maxillary molars with skeletal Class III malocclusion. Before orthognathic surgery, resetting of maxillary occlusal plane with temporary removable denture was performed. Then successful multidisciplinary approach was done and lead to acceptable clinical outcome.
Dental Caries ; Dental Occlusion ; Dentures ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Malocclusion ; Mandible ; Mandibular Condyle ; Molar ; Orthodontics ; Orthognathic Surgery* ; Periodontitis ; Tooth ; Vertical Dimension*

Obesity is characterized as an accumulation of adipose tissue mass represented by chronic, low-grade inflammation. Obesity-derived inflammation involves chemokines as important regulators contributing to the pathophysiology of obesity-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers. The obesity-driven chemokine network is poorly understood. Here, we identified the profiles of chemokine signature between human preadipocytes and adipocytes, using PCR arrays and qRT-PCR. Both preadipocytes and adipocytes showed absent or low levels in chemokine receptors in spite of some changes. On the other hand, the chemokine levels of CCL2, CCL7-8, CCL11, CXCL1-3, CXCL6 and CXCL10-11 were dominantly expressed in preadipocytes compared to adipocytes. Interestingly, CXCL14 was the most dominant chemokine expressed in adipocytes compared to preadipocytes. Moreover, there is significantly higher protein level of CXCL14 in conditioned media from adipocytes. In addition, we analyzed the data of the chemokine signatures in adipocytes obtained from healthy lean and obese postmenopausal women based on Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset. Adipocytes from obese individuals had significantly higher levels in chemokine signature as follows: CCL2, CCL13, CCL18-19, CCL23, CCL26, CXCL1, CXCL3 and CXCL14, as compared to those from lean ones. Also, among the chemokine networks, CXCL14 appeared to be the highest levels in adipocytes from both lean and obese women. Taken together, these results identify CXCL14 as an important chemokine induced during adipogenesis, requiring further research elucidating its potential therapeutic benefits in obesity.
Adipocytes* ; Adipogenesis ; Adipose Tissue ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Chemokines ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Dataset ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Hand ; Humans* ; Inflammation ; Obesity ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Chemokine